FIFA World Cup 2026 opinion poll + discusion about new format & rules

[dzonikg28]

-snip-

I agree, although I believe the intention behind the introduction of the Nations League was to minimise the number of international friendlies, so it was not meant to be a tournament of a similar prestige as the Euro or the World Cup. But maybe it was just an excuse. I'm not sure if a national team could opt out of the Nations League with no repercusions from UEFA.
And I'm not sure if FIFA can be blamed for the Nations League, or was it entirely UEFA's doing. I believe UEFA has a lot of independence from FIFA.

Anyhow, the tendency to increase number of football competitions (be it national or club) and increase number of games within each tournament is already causing fatigue among many of the football fans.

Good point of course that this was a UEFA thing, but I still think that all these associations should have an interest to reasonably coordinate with each other and still preserve some exclusivity for the sport.

For some national teams the Nations League has an effect. I don't know the very specific details, but some of the smaller teams can qualify for the European Championship? I think that is the case, but you can almost all the time see that the results in matches between the bigger nations do not reflect what it would be at important tournaments. You can see in the players' faces that this is not really what they are after. If they win it, ok, but if they don't who cares.

I understand that avoiding those friendlies could have been an idea behind this competition, but those matches mostly have this friendly character. It is a title in the end, but I have had man conversations when we noticed that we didn't even know who won it in the past or who is in the final and I like football a lot. But then the question is valid whether friendlies are better, probably not.

[Daniel91]

(...)
I don't know what about you guys here, but I think that the Nations League is already unnecessary and the results in those matches show that neither players nor national associations give too much about that competition. If the FIFA then were to add more matches or expand competitions, it would not bring any advantage besides more money for the investors.

I agree, although I believe the intention behind the introduction of the Nations League was to minimise the number of international friendlies, so it was not meant to be a tournament of a similar prestige as the Euro or the World Cup. But maybe it was just an excuse. I'm not sure if a national team could opt out of the Nations League with no repercusions from UEFA.
And I'm not sure if FIFA can be blamed for the Nations League, or was it entirely UEFA's doing. I believe UEFA has a lot of independence from FIFA.

Anyhow, the tendency to increase number of football competitions (be it national or club) and increase number of games within each tournament is already causing fatigue among many of the football fans.

UEFA is completely independent in organizing competitions in Europe such as European club and national team competitions, including European championships in different age groups and the Nations League.
Friendly matches are actually financially unprofitable for UEFA or European nations and through the Nations League, a third-tier competition compared to the World and European Championships, national teams can prepare their teams and players as before, and still compete for a trophy and prize money at the same time.
Smaller nations often get an additional opportunity to qualify for the European or World Championships through the Nations League, for example.
On that side, I think that the Nations League still has more advantages than disadvantages.
Of course, with the increase in the number of club and national team matches, there is also increased physical effort for players, more injuries, fatigue, but apparently lately, earnings are more important than anything else.
FIFA even wants to sell the rights to the World Cup to private investors and increase the number of participants in the World Cup to 64, so unfortunately we can expect an even greater number of matches and competitions, but fewer quality and interesting matches.

[pawel7777]

The pressure on Infantino is mounting. I read more and more countries are withdrawing their support for his re-election (including England and Wales) and, as things currently stand, he is more likely not to get re-elected for another term.
Having fire lit under him, Infantino (together with Mattias Grafstroem) decided to apologise for the cotroversial idea of selling the World Cup to private investors.
I guess this means the idea is officially scrapped.

[asriloni]

The pressure on Infantino is mounting. I read more and more countries are withdrawing their support for his re-election (including England and Wales) and, as things currently stand, he is more likely not to get re-elected for another term.
Having fire lit under him, Infantino (together with Mattias Grafstroem) decided to apologise for the cotroversial idea of selling the World Cup to private investors.
I guess this means the idea is officially scrapped.

Even DFB has withdrawn their support for Infantino to be elected as FIFA president. However, the war is just begin right now. With him is seeking the help from the Trump. So i think he will do everything in order to retain his position as FIFA president.

Yeah we have seen some who withdrawn their support to him, but there are also football federations who also still support him.

So we will have two sides against each other in the next FIFA presidential election. This is why i think the drama is just starting now.

Beside that i'm not really concerning with his apologize because he's still remain FIFA president even after that proposal cancelled.

[Italian Panic]

The pressure on Infantino is mounting. I read more and more countries are withdrawing their support for his re-election (including England and Wales) and, as things currently stand, he is more likely not to get re-elected for another term.
Having fire lit under him, Infantino (together with Mattias Grafstroem) decided to apologise for the cotroversial idea of selling the World Cup to private investors.
I guess this means the idea is officially scrapped.

Infantino embodies the evil of the football system, where football is taken away from ordinary people and handed over to insatiable businessmen and fed to TV rights deals, preventing the majority from enjoying the spectacle.
In this regard, Infantino got the timing and approach wrong; he was too aggressive and too direct. Threatening an organisation like UEFA whilst thinking he could get away with it is absurd, because they have the best national teams and the best and wealthiest club sides.

[Agbe]

The pressure on Infantino is mounting. I read more and more countries are withdrawing their support for his re-election (including England and Wales) and, as things currently stand, he is more likely not to get re-elected for another term.
Having fire lit under him, Infantino (together with Mattias Grafstroem) decided to apologise for the cotroversial idea of selling the World Cup to private investors.
I guess this means the idea is officially scrapped.

I also support for his removal. My own is that let another person should also test the FIFA President leadership and handle the football activities. Let's experience another person to see the performance. But I saw in social media yesterday that, Confederation Of African Football (CAF), and others. But the pressure from him to remove or resign from the position is high. People are disappointed with his lies, deception and corrupt nature. Let another person go there and correct things. Football is not like before again. Football was entertaining but people have started disdain and having apathy of football.

[Johnlomape]

The pressure on Infantino is mounting. I read more and more countries are withdrawing their support for his re-election (including England and Wales) and, as things currently stand, he is more likely not to get re-elected for another term.
Having fire lit under him, Infantino (together with Mattias Grafstroem) decided to apologise for the cotroversial idea of selling the World Cup to private investors.
I guess this means the idea is officially scrapped.

Infantino embodies the evil of the football system, where football is taken away from ordinary people and handed over to insatiable businessmen and fed to TV rights deals, preventing the majority from enjoying the spectacle.
In this regard, Infantino got the timing and approach wrong; he was too aggressive and too direct. Threatening an organisation like UEFA whilst thinking he could get away with it is absurd, because they have the best national teams and the best and wealthiest club sides.

Infantino had made so many errors thinking the public is going to over look it just like that. His agenda has been known and there has been too much hatred for his behavior which he needs to correct before it's too late.

Corrupt politician like Infantino needs to have a taste of his own cake, and all his endeavors trying to privatize FIFA and sell shares to his friends has been turned down which is no longer favouring him. He could have bought more of these shares to himself it he succeeded through votes from the stake holder countries. He may be voted out soon if other countries do not support his reinstallment.

[Daniel91]

The pressure on Infantino is mounting. I read more and more countries are withdrawing their support for his re-election (including England and Wales) and, as things currently stand, he is more likely not to get re-elected for another term.
Having fire lit under him, Infantino (together with Mattias Grafstroem) decided to apologise for the cotroversial idea of selling the World Cup to private investors.
I guess this means the idea is officially scrapped.

I also support for his removal. My own is that let another person should also test the FIFA President leadership and handle the football activities. Let's experience another person to see the performance. But I saw in social media yesterday that, Confederation Of African Football (CAF), and others. But the pressure from him to remove or resign from the position is high. People are disappointed with his lies, deception and corrupt nature. Let another person go there and correct things. Football is not like before again. Football was entertaining but people have started disdain and having apathy of football.

More and more major countries are calling for Infantino's removal because it is clear that he wants to turn the World Cup into a commodity that he will sell to private investors, and in doing so, destroy the "spirit of football".
However, Infantino is still too far to write off because his removal requires a majority of 106 votes at the FIFA Congress next year, which will not be easy because at the Congress each country's vote counts equally, regardless of whether it is the vote of England, Spain and Brazil or the vote of Mozambique or Ghana.
UEFA and the North American Federation are currently the most vocal in their call for Infantino's removal, but they do not yet have enough support from other continental associations.
Infantino has reportedly offered Morocco a deal that in exchange for the support of African countries, they will accept the proposal to hold the 2030 World Cup final in Morocco instead of Madrid.
If he manages to get the support of African countries, it will be very difficult to remove him.
If Infantino manages to stay at the top of FIFA with these dirty strategies, football will no longer be a sport and entertainment for the masses, but will become a commercial commodity paid for and run by private investors, which will be the end of football as we know it.

[SensitiveEyes]

More and more major countries are calling for Infantino's removal because it is clear that he wants to turn the World Cup into a commodity that he will sell to private investors, and in doing so, destroy the "spirit of football".
However, Infantino is still too far to write off because his removal requires a majority of 106 votes at the FIFA Congress next year, which will not be easy because at the Congress each country's vote counts equally, regardless of whether it is the vote of England, Spain and Brazil or the vote of Mozambique or Ghana.
UEFA and the North American Federation are currently the most vocal in their call for Infantino's removal, but they do not yet have enough support from other continental associations.
Infantino has reportedly offered Morocco a deal that in exchange for the support of African countries, they will accept the proposal to hold the 2030 World Cup final in Morocco instead of Madrid.
If he manages to get the support of African countries, it will be very difficult to remove him.
If Infantino manages to stay at the top of FIFA with these dirty strategies, football will no longer be a sport and entertainment for the masses, but will become a commercial commodity paid for and run by private investors, which will be the end of football as we know it.

UEFA's statement said when Giovanni Infantino was their secretary general he had an affair with a young worker. UEFA said they paid her money twice. To leave her job and for her MBA course. They kept it secret from Michel Platini president of UEFA. Giovanni Infantino gave a statement from FIFA saying the story is made up.

[Juicyhome]

Infantino embodies the evil of the football system, where football is taken away from ordinary people and handed over to insatiable businessmen and fed to TV rights deals, preventing the majority from enjoying the spectacle.
In this regard, Infantino got the timing and approach wrong; he was too aggressive and too direct. Threatening an organisation like UEFA whilst thinking he could get away with it is absurd, because they have the best national teams and the best and wealthiest club sides.

The Fifa president Gianni infantino has lost his trust in football and he should shameless resign and leave this organization for football lover, he is a capitalist and such mindset shouldn't be allowed to head Fifa president again. Just as you said he was not quick to force his evil policy the organization,  he didn't even wait for the World Cup to pass, he hurrying imposed unjust policy that will kill football on us.

I'm happy his evil plan didn't work out, and he should not be voted for in the next election,  I'm sure he will lose because Uefa are not on his side, is only Argentina and some countries in Africa that are backing Gianni infantino for the next election,  he will not win. He wanted to sell our beautiful game to criminals.

[pawel7777]

https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/breaking-news/article/fifa-claims-infantino-has-some-board-support-amid-calls-for-his-resignation-denies-report-that-he-promised-morocco-world-cup-final-in-exchange-for-re-election-support-172424083.html

FIFA denied allegations of Infantino offering Morocco hosting of the World Cup 2030 in exchange of their support for his re-election in 2027.
According to the linked article, the Moroccan FA has not yet commented on the issue.
I think Infantino is on his way out. He seems to be losing support fast, including Saudi Arabia, who were previously known as his strong supporters.
FIFA having an emergency meeting earlier this week as well as them issuing a warning to those who still criticise them (after they scrapped the controversial privatisation plan) is a very bad sign for Infantino. The damage is done and there's no way of smoothly coming out of this.

[SensitiveEyes]

https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/breaking-news/article/fifa-claims-infantino-has-some-board-support-amid-calls-for-his-resignation-denies-report-that-he-promised-morocco-world-cup-final-in-exchange-for-re-election-support-172424083.html

FIFA denied allegations of Infantino offering Morocco hosting of the World Cup 2030 in exchange of their support for his re-election in 2027.
According to the linked article, the Moroccan FA has not yet commented on the issue.
I think Infantino is on his way out. He seems to be losing support fast, including Saudi Arabia, who were previously known as his strong supporters.
FIFA having an emergency meeting earlier this week as well as them issuing a warning to those who still criticise them (after they scrapped the controversial privatisation plan) is a very bad sign for Infantino. The damage is done and there's no way of smoothly coming out of this.

FIFA had the emergency meeting to announce they support Giovanni Infantino. FIFA's saying a complaint was not made against him during his long stint at UEFA. I bet the press handout was written by a close aide to Giovanni Infantino. UEFA's given their statement with details. They paid a young woman money because she had an affair with Infantino. They negotiated a contract which UEFA paid her to quit and gave her extra payments for her MBA course. UEFA should have fired Infantino and the woman for the affair.

It looks like bad signs for Giovanni Infantino because his problems are stacking up. His wife could mull over a divorce if the affair happened when they were married. FIFA should not defend the guy who destroyed their reputation.

[Hispo]

https://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/breaking-news/article/fifa-claims-infantino-has-some-board-support-amid-calls-for-his-resignation-denies-report-that-he-promised-morocco-world-cup-final-in-exchange-for-re-election-support-172424083.html

FIFA denied allegations of Infantino offering Morocco hosting of the World Cup 2030 in exchange of their support for his re-election in 2027.
According to the linked article, the Moroccan FA has not yet commented on the issue.
I think Infantino is on his way out. He seems to be losing support fast, including Saudi Arabia, who were previously known as his strong supporters.
FIFA having an emergency meeting earlier this week as well as them issuing a warning to those who still criticise them (after they scrapped the controversial privatisation plan) is a very bad sign for Infantino. The damage is done and there's no way of smoothly coming out of this.

I think I need some context though. Are there other reasons why Infantino is quickly losing support within FIFA, besides we have already witnesses during this 2026 world cup?
Are there some specific allegations of corruption or wrong doing which are rapidly precipitating the fall from grace of Infantino?

Or people within FIFA are just tires of him for other unrelated reasons?.

Though, there is no denial that what happened during the world cup this year severely damaged his image and credibility.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

I think I need some context though. Are there other reasons why Infantino is quickly losing support within FIFA, besides we have already witnesses during this 2026 world cup?
Are there some specific allegations of corruption or wrong doing which are rapidly precipitating the fall from grace of Infantino?

Or people within FIFA are just tires of him for other unrelated reasons?.

Though, there is no denial that what happened during the world cup this year severely damaged his image and credibility.

The problem is he is only losing support of the FAs of the big nations. Yet he still has all the smaller nations (that just want his money handouts) in the palm of his hand. And since every FA has only 1 vote, no matter how big the country is and how many members it has, he can always control the outcome by throwing money at the small nations. This is no real democracy and a system to fail.
I read yesterday that UEFA is still standing behind their boycott idea, which is good! There needs to be a change.

To the subject of the thread, the new format sucks. I mean how many teams are enough? Making it bigger doesn't mean it makes it better obviously.

[ArabBTC]

Sincerely this Infantino continues attacks about lack of integrity is really sad, i wonder what a man of his status will still be looking for that would make him wanting to dent his image, like he is already a global figure so to me why won’t he focus more on protecting that identity, how much is he intending to gain that is possibly making him compromise on lay down football standards, his alleged actions is really causing unnecessary unrest in the football community which is really not nice for a sport that has reached a significant milestone but i will really appreciate if thorough investigations are made concerning all this alleged accusations before any conclusions, it would be wrong to remove him without concrete prove, some points that have been raised so far concerning him are still undergoing further scrutiny so lets not conclude that he should be removed yet and let’s also hope things resolve soon enough so that most football lovers won’t lose confidence in the sport and the decisions of the football governing board, things like this if not properly handled could change the trajectory of football in general.